Miami Airport Crash: Amazon Cargo Jet Leaves Five Dead and Several Injured

Five people have been killed and five others injured after an Amazon Prime Air cargo aircraft overran a runway at Miami International Airport and collided with several vehicles during landing.

Three of those injured were in critical condition after the crash, while two others were treated at a hospital, Miami-Dade County fire officials said.

The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, had travelled from San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the accident in Miami on Sunday.

Officials said the aircraft overran the airport’s runway shortly before 2pm local time and struck multiple vehicles on the ground.

The collision caused the aircraft to catch fire and triggered a major emergency response.

Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said rescue teams encountered people trapped in vehicles after the aircraft hit them.

Specialist technical rescue crews were deployed to free those trapped.

The aircraft itself also presented a difficult rescue challenge, with the pilot and co-pilot trapped inside.

Firefighters and rescue personnel had to work around the damaged aircraft while also dealing with fire and a fuel leak.

More than 60 emergency vehicles and almost 200 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded to the crash.

Firefighters used foam to extinguish flames in the engine compartment, while hazardous-material specialists worked to control the fuel leak and make the scene safe.

The accident forced the closure of all runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport.

The airport is a major gateway for international and domestic travel, and the shutdown resulted in significant disruption to passengers.

Flights were delayed and cancelled while emergency crews worked at the scene.

Two of the airport’s four runways were later reopened, but passengers were warned that disruption could continue.

Airport authorities advised travellers to check directly with their airlines before going to the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

The NTSB said it had sent a team to Miami to examine the runway excursion.

Investigators have not yet established why the aircraft left the runway.

Officials have also not identified any particular mechanical, weather-related or operational factor as the cause.

The investigation will be expected to determine what happened during the aircraft’s approach and landing and why it was unable to stop within the runway area.

The aircraft was operated by 21 Air for Amazon’s Prime Air cargo operation.

Amazon expressed sympathy to the families of the five people who died and to everyone affected by the crash.

The company said it would cooperate with the investigation.

The victims’ identities had not been publicly released in the initial reports.

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said the scene was tragic but there was no apparent continuing threat to public safety.

The crash has raised immediate questions about the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion, but investigators have cautioned that the cause cannot be determined before evidence is examined.

Aviation accident investigations can involve examination of flight records, aircraft components, communications, weather data and the physical condition of the runway and surrounding area.

Officials are expected to provide further information as that process continues.

For now, the confirmed toll stands at five dead and five injured.

Three of the injured remain in critical condition, according to fire officials.

Meanwhile, emergency authorities continue to manage the aftermath and airport officials work to restore normal flight operations.

The crash represents a significant disruption for Miami International Airport and a devastating loss for the families of those who died.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no official cause has yet been announced.